"Yes; but we'll make up for it by pluggin' in all the harder after we begin."
Bill hesitated an instant as if hardly daring to say that which was in his mind, and then asked in a meaning tone:
"Seen anybody in partic'lar this mornin'?"
"Yes, we saw Jip, an' then run across Sam Barney," Seth replied.
"I suppose Sam still holds to it that he'll pull Jip in?"
"Yes, an' he counted on findin' him in Philadelphy, 'cordin' to his talk."
"Look here, Seth, you've got good reason to make it hot for Jip after all he's——"
"I wouldn't do a thing to hurt him, an' stand ready to give him a lift if he needs it."
"You're straight as a die, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll bet you won't be sorry for lettin' up on him, for I'm thinkin' Jip will run different after this."
"I hope so; but he ain't out of the woods till somebody sets down on Sam Barney. We've been tryin' to make him stop; but he won't, 'cause he thinks it'll give him a big name if he arrests Jip. He's up by Sweeney's Alley bobbin' round like a jumpin'-jack."